What will go around 18 inch radius curves besides small switchers without any trouble and still look half way decent? (Modeling the 50"s)
Are there any 50"s smaller passenger cars that will work?
Thanks, DON
Well to be honest any four axle engine will look fine going around an 18" radius. Just not the 6 axle engines. If you are planning on running those thru They will look real weird.
Geeps can take it. Small steam such as 2-8-0s or 4-6-0s may handle it. F units are perfectly sized for that. 4 axled Alco RS units too.
Athear has/had shorty passenger cars, scaled length down to fit small layouts. Other lines did that as well.
Of course it depends on what your definition of "half way decent " is.
I personally find cars over 40 ft long and engines larger than a GP7 look bad going around a 18" or smaller radius.
Dave H.
I’d go with a switcher, or smaller freight engine. As an Alco fan, I’d suggest the Life Like or Atlas S-series switcher or RS-series road switcher. I actually think hood (such as the RS2) units look better on smaller curves than full-width units do (like the F7) on smaller radius curves.
I’d stick with 40’ freight cars, which are prototypical to the 50s. As for passenger, well the only thing I can really think of to suggest that would look oaky would be an RDC or two.
~METRO
My Atlas TrainMaster will negotiate the 18" radius curves on my layout with no problems…
Obviously large steam would have problems, but a I have a Spectrum 2-8-0 and a Russian Decapod 2-10-0 that negotiate the curves fine.
Kevin
This page has the NMRA’s recommended practice http://www.nmra.org/standards/rp-11.html while many cars and locomotives will get around 18" radius, for appearance, I personally think you should limit yourself to 40’ cars and 40’ diesels. Short steam engines up to 6 drivers should be okay, i.e. 0-6-0, 2-6-0, 4-4-0, 4-6-0, 2-6-2, 4-4-2. Maybe a 2-8-0 also if it has small drivers.
Passenger cars are a problem as 50’ is about the shortest you’ll find and they are open platform 1880’s style. The Overton 34’ are a better style even though they are too short, but I think only one road used them. You could probably kitbash 3 of them into 2 45’ cars. I’d get some quickly, since the new owners of MDC may not continue the kit version of these. Or you could get some 60-70’ and cut out the middle. Or just live with 60’ cars for your passenger trains.
Enjoy
Paul
It really all kind of depends on exactly how “prototypical” you want the layout to look.
I have 22, 18 & 15 inch radius on my layout and I love big steam. This creates some appearance problems unless you’re at the right angle.
I have run my Big Boy & Challenger on my 18" radius and the boiler overhang is immense! But, since I don’t have room for 40" radius (that would have been the real Big Boys’ minimum) I make do with what I have. They are still cool to run. I hope to add a cab forward to the roster soon.
I also have 72’ and 85’ passenger cars and on the 18’ they look quite strange unless you are down to eye level on the track. They look OK on the 22" and am sure that on 24" or greater they would look more realistic.
I do have a 4-8-2 light mountain that will run on the 18" nicely and looks quite nice doing it. I will run (grudgingly) on the 15" but I only run it on that to access the reversing section.
I have numerous F7’s and they do fine on both the 18 & 15 inch. They look very at home on both.
So, in summation, it’s your railroad. Do what makes you happy! There are alway rivet counters that will find something that isn’t prototypical. But, then it’s not their railroad.
I’ve even made up my own lighting rules for the DV&W!!! So if I want to run class lights or rear markers, I just turn them on!
I can run anything on my layout …my sharpest radius is 24" but most of it is in the 30"+ range…i’m done with 15" and 18" radius…it’s more trouble than what it’s worth…my last layout was 15" and 18" and I had to put anything with 6 axles or over 50’ in scale length back in the boxes due to way too many derailments with the longer cars…i could run 4 axle and 40’ cars all day long on those radii…but nothing longer…chuck
My 4 axle GP-7 does fine on it, as does my 2-6-0 Mogul. My 4-6-2 Pacific will also go around an 18" Radius fairly easily.
As for full sized passenger cars…I have 3 heavy passenger cars (approx 85’) and though they ran the curve before scenery (tunnels/mountains), they look kinda goofy. I’m sticking with smaller engines and 40’ long freight cars. Modelling 1945-1955ish[:p]
Trevor
Thanks for the comments and help guys. I think I got it! for the passenger cars. Iron had a great idea! Cut them in half and take out a section Bingo!!! At least they will look better on the 18 ich radius!
Thanks again, DON